Carton assembly for the display packaging of articles



Dec. 26, 1967 R. J. POWERS ETAL 3,3

CARTON ASSEMBLY FOR THE DISPLAY PACKAGING OF ARTICLES Filed June 1, 1966 2 sheets-sheet 1 E 4, Z8 0 '7 l r: 4 4

LE; 7. 1 J. 6/ 2/ J! 25 v ii 80 3/ 2/ i 5 i 3/ 70 40 INVENTORS ROBERT J. POWERs 2/ 4/ FELIX TRANSPORT WALLACE z. HANSON I :E'I. .2]- El 5.5. WILL/AM TRAUSCHKE 5r rf/ g 77.24,! adfmns f Dec. 26, 1967 J, POWERS ETAL 3,360,117

CARTON ASSEMBLY FOR THE DISPLAY PACKAGING OF ARTICLES 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed June l, 1966 l N VEN TORS WERS ROBERT J. P0

FELI X TRANSPOR T wA1. 4Ac 5. HANSON WILL/AM F: TRAUSCHKE BY c/w' wa'wva f United States Patent 3,360,117 CARTGN ASSEMBLY FOR THE DISPLAY PACKAGING 0F ARTICLES Robert J. Powers, Pelham, and Felix Transport, New York, N.Y., and Wallace E. Hanson, Springfield, and William F. Transchke, Westfield, Mass., assignors to Sample-Durick Incorporated, Chicopee, Mass, a corporation of Ohio Filed June 1, 1966, Ser. No. 554,386 7 (llaims. (Cl. 206-4514) This invention relates to a carton assembly for the display packaging of articles such as squeeze tubes, bottles, and the like, such cartons being sometimes known in the trade as shadow boxes. In this type of assembly an opening is commonly formed in a front wall for viewing a packaged article nested or framed in a recess having angled side walls or shadow panels.

A principal object of the invention is to provide a carton assembly of this type with means for positive registration of a packaged article in the recessed opening so as to prevent chance disarrangement thereof during handling and to accomplish this by providing positional bracing members for the end shadow panels in which opposite ends of an article are inserted to hold the same.

A more particular object is to provide means for securing the transversely sealed end of a squeeze tube article against lateral or longitudinal displacement in the display carton and to provide such means in an assembly formed from a one-piece cardboard blank.

The above and other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following description of a preferred embodiment thereof as shown by the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a plan view of a blank from which a preferred form of a display carton embodying the invention may be formed;

FIG. 2 is a plan view of the end portion of the blank at the right in FIG. 1 illustrating the first step in assembling the carton;

FIG. 3 is a section on line 3-3 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a plan view of the front of the partially formed blank illustrating the second step in assembling the carton, the end of the blank at the left in FIG. 1 being cut away;

FIG. 5 is a section on line 5-5 of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a plan view of the front of an assembled carton illustrating the third step in forming the same,

the closure tabs and flaps extending from upper and lower ends;

FIG. 7 is a section on line 77 of FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is a plan view of the front of a fully assembled carton with an article being displayed therein;

FIG. 9 is a vertical sectional view of FIG. 8 showing the relationship of the article in the assembly;

FIG. 10 is a section on line 1010 of FIG. 9, the article being removed;

FIG. 11 is a plan view of a blank similar to FIG. 1 and illustrating several modifications thereof;

FIG. 12 is a fragmentary vertical section of a carton assembled from the blank of FIG. 11 and showing the lower end thereon; and

FIG. 13 is a similar fragmentary vertical section showing the upper end of a carton assembled from the blank of FIG. 11.

In FIG. 1 the inside face of a one-piece blank is shown with the various panels defined by dashed score lines. At the functional center of the blank is a back panel 20.

Arranged at one side of the back panel (as to the left in FIG. 1) are in the order named: a first outer side panel 30; an outer front panel 40; and a second outer side panel 60.

Arranged at the other side of the back panel 20 and in the order named are: a first inner side panel 61; an inner front panel 41; a second inner side panel 31; an inner partial back panel 21; an intermediate bracing panel 70; and an anchor tab 80. The tab 80, the partial back panel 21, and second outer side panel 60, are in the embodiment shown blue panels as will be later described.

As will also be later described in detail, the front panel 41 lies inside the front panel 40 and these two panels comprise the front wall structure of the assembly. The inner front panel 41 is provided with an upper shadow panel 50 having an elongated transverse slot therein as at 51. The panel 50 in the completed assembly will be inwardly angled from the front wall along a slit fold line indicated at 52 and defining the top of the panel. The lower edge of panel 50 is at the transverse cut at 53. The inner front panel 41 also has a lower shadow panel 55 which will in the completed assembly be inwardly turned from the plane of the front wall along a slit line 56 defining the lower edge of panel 55. The upper edge of panel 55 is along the transversely out line at 53.

In panel 55 is a tongue 57 cut from the material thereof and its base between scored fold lines as at 58. That end portion of the panel 55 above the fold line 58 in FIG. 1 is adapted to rest against the back panel as will later be apparent.

In the outer front panel 40 triangularly shaped openings are cut as at 42 and 43. The openings form the upper edges of a pair of side shadow panels 44 and 45. The two panels are separated at the cut indicated at line 46.

The blank of FIG. 1 is preferably assembled in successive steps as will be seen from FIGS. 2, 4 and 6 and the sectional views thereof FIGS. 3, 5 and 7..

As a first step, glue tab 80, intermediate bracing panel 70, inner partial back panel 21, inner side panel 31 and inner front panel 41 are folded as best shown by FIG. 3 to position and secure tab against the inside face of the inner front panel 41. As will also be seen, the inner partial back panel 21 is of approximately half the width of front panel 41 so that the tab 80 is secured to the inside face of panel 41 at one side of the center thereof. The bracing panel 70 is thus at the center of the front panel 41.

As a second step, the inner front panel 41 is turned over from its FIG. 2 position to place the partial back panel 21 against the inside surface of back panel 20.

Panel 21 is then adhesively attached against panel 20 as seen by FIGS. 3 and 5.

In the particular construction shown by FIG. 1 an advertising tab 22 is shown extending from the top of back panel 20. Tab 22 is in three sections 23, 24 and 25. From FIGS. 1, 3, and 5 it will be seen that section 24 is folded down on section 23 and section 25 is tucked inwardly below the top of the back panel 20 and adhesively secured thereto. Thus the partial back panel 21 in the sectional view of FIG. 5 is shown secured at the top and against back panel 20 being at this location secured to section 25 rather than directly against the back panel 20.

As a third step in completing the assembly, the outer panels 30, 40 and 60 are folded into overlying position against inner panels 31, 41, and 61 as shown by FIGS. 6 and 7. Outer side panel 60 is glued against the outer face of inner side panel 61.

The steps in the assembly are shown by FIGS. 2 through 6, inclusive, in rectangular form for purposes of clarity. It will be readily appreciated by the skilled in the art that the described assembly steps will normally be completed in the flat whereby the panels are folded into adjacent fiat relationship and glued, and at the end of the third step as above described the assembled cartons will be in a collapsed condition for shipment to the place of packaging the articles.

Referring now to FIGS. 8 and 9, the shadow panel portions 44, 45, and d, 55 of the two front panels 40 and 41 are arranged in a completed assembly with an article a inserted in place. This is accomplished by first pressing side shadow panels 44, 45 apart and inwardly while urging the upper shadow panel 50 upwardly against the angled lower edge of the intermediate bracing panel 76. In this position the elongated slot 51 of shadow panel 50 registers with a notch as at 71 cut in the lower angled edge of the bracing panel 7d.

Lower shadow panel 55 is also urged inwardly to lie in an upwardl' angled direction from the front wall. Tongue 57 is turned from the plane of shadow panel 55 and pressed flatly against the back panel 29. The free edge portion of shadow panel 55 is also thus bent along fold 'line 58, together with tongue 57 and engaged against back panel 2%. The tip at the free end of the tongue rests in this position against the end closure of the carton. The desired angular relation of the lower shadow panel 55 is thus supported by the tongue.

As will also be seen from FIG. 8, the opening in shadow panel 55 from which the tongue is cut provides an opening partially circular in outline for snugly receiving the screw cap end of the squeeze tube article a. The upper transversely sealed end closure p of the tube a is inserted in slot 51 of the shadow panel 59 and is positionally trapped by the notch 71 of the bracing panel 7ft Thus, the article is postionally anchored and secured against longitudinal displacement in the assembly by the notch 71 and against the transverse movement by the slot 51. The lower edge of bracing panel backs up the upper shadow panel 5'0 and prevents displacement thereof. As will be appreciated side shadow panels 44 and 45 being tucked behind the sides of an article a will assist in holding it securely in the desired attractively displayed relation shown by FIG. 8.

In the assembly as described, end closure tabs and end closure panels are provided as best seen in FIG. 1. Tabs are provided at 62 and 63 at the top and bottom edges of the inner side panel 61; tabs 32 and 33 are joined respectively to the top and bottom edges of the outer side panel 30; a top end closure panel 48 with tucker flap 49 is at the top edge of the outer front panel 46; and a bottom end closure panel 23 with tucker flap 29 is joined at the bottom edge of the back panel 26.

The relationship of the respective end panels and tabs will be seen in F116. 9. At the bottom, flap 29 of end panel 28 is tucked inside the lower edges of the panels 49 and 41. At the top, the flap 49 of end panel 48 lies against section 25 at the top of panel 20. It will be noted that the bracing panel 76} is angularly cut away as at 73 (see also FIG. 1) and that the top of the inner partial back panel 21 is downwardly offset from the top of the side panel 31 as indicated at 72. The cut away portion and offset provides clearance for tucker flap 49.

Referring now to the several modifications of the one- -piece blank as illustrated by FIGS. 11, 12 and 13, the same general arrangement of front and side panels on each side of a back panel 29 will be seen. The panels and portions thereof corresponding to the same elements shown in FIG. 1 are designated by the same numbers primed.

In this modified blank the top and bottom end tabs 62' and 63 are provided on the second outer side panel 60 rather than at the top and bottom of the panel 61 corresponding to inner side panel 61 of the FIG. 1 blank. Tabs 32' and 33 are at the top and bottom of the outer side panel 359' as is the case in FIG. 1. An end closure panel 48' with tucker flap 49' extends from the lower edge of the outer front panel 54)" rather than from the upper edge of the panel 4% as in FIG. 1. End closure 48 is thus a bottom closure in this form. Also in FIG. 11 no display tab as the tab 22 of FIG. 1 is provided. Rather,

the top end closure panel 28 with tucker flap 29 extends from the upper edge of back panel 20'.

With this changed arrangement of the end panels and tabs as in FIG. 11, it will be seen that the end panels can extend either from the front or the rear of the carton as may be desirable in particular instances. The assembly at the bottom of the carton, as made from the blank of FIG. 11, is seen from FIG. 12 and that at the top of the carton from FIG. 13. In FIG. 13 the end panel extends from back panel 20. Thus no lower offset in the upper edge of partial back panel 21' is needed comparable to the offset edge 72 of FIG. 1. In this form, however, the front edge of bracing panel 70' is cut away and angled as at 73' to provide the needed clearance for inserting tucker flap 29' into position (see FIG. 13). It will also be noted that glue tab is of reduced dimension. Additionally a further modification shown by FIG. 11 appears in the shape of the tongue cut in shadow panel 55. The tongue 57 indicates a modified shape for the aperture in shadow panel 55 for holding the end of an article.

It will thus be readily appreciated that articles having different dimensional outlines at either the top or bottom thereof may be accommodated by suitable formation of the openings in the upper and lower shadow panel portions and in the notched edge of the intermediate bracing panel.

What is claimed is:

1. In a carton assembly for the display packaging of articles having front, back, side and end panels in which the front panel Wall construction is formed with an article display opening intermediate the ends of said panel and provided with wall portions angled inwardly from the side and end edges of the opening, the said angled portions of the end edges being apertured to provide openings for receiving opposite ends of an article; the improvement which comprises a bracing panel member secured to and extending between the front and back panels of the carton centrally thereof beyond one end edge of said display opening and having an inner edge of said member extending angularly inwardly from said one end edge of the display opening and supporting the adjacent inwardly angled front wall portion thereagainst said inner edge of the bracing member having a recessed notched portion therein registering with the article receiving opening of said supported angled panel portion for positionally anchoring one end of an article having its opposite end held in the article receiving opening of said angled portion at the opposite end of the opening.

2. The structure of claim 1 in which the said angled panel portion at the opposite end of said display opening is provided with an inner end section angularly bent for flat engagement against the back panel of the carton and said article receiving opening of the angled portion is formed by a tongue out from the material of said portion and said tongue is bent to lie in planar relation with said bent section against said back panel, the tip end thereof engaging the adjacent end wall.

3. The structure of claim 2 in which said carton assembly is constructed from a onepiece blank, said back panel having at one side thereof a series of foldably joined wall members comprising inner front, back, and side panel members, said bracing panel member, and an attaching tab at the end of said series, said attaching tab being secured to the inner face of the front panel member of said series and the inner back panel member being secured to the inner face of said back panel, said back panel at its other side having a series of foldably joined wall members comprising outer front and side members attached in overlying relation to said inner side and front wall members, end closure panels extending from the upper and lower edges of said back and front panels.

4. A carton assembly for the display packaging of articles comprising a one piece blank provided with a back panel and extending from one side of the back panel and successively joined thereto by parallel fold lines in the named order:

a first inner side panel, an inner front panel, a second inner side panel, a partial inner back panel of approximately half the width of said back panel, an intermediate bracing panel adjacent one end edge of said partial back panel, and an anchor tab joined thereto;

and at the other side of said back panel and successively joined thereto by parallel fold lines in the named order:

a first outer side panel, an outer front panel, and

a second outer side panel;

each of said panels being foldably joined to the panel adjacent thereto,

said anchor tab being secured against the inner face of said inner front panel, said partial inner back panel being secured to the inner face of said back panel at one side thereof, and

the inner face of said second outer side panel being secured against the outer face of said first inner side panel, said outer front and other side panel overlying the inner front panel and first inner side panel respectively said front wall panels providing a recessed display opening,

the outer front panel including side shadow panel portions angled inwardly from opposite sides thereof and defining the sides of the opening,

the inner front panel including upper and lower shadow panel portions angled inwardly from and defining the top and bottom edges of the opening in spaced relation respectively to the upper and lower end edges of said front wall,

said intermediate bracing panel having its lower edge angled inwardly from the top edge of said front wall opening and receiving the central portion of said upper shadow panel portion thereagainst,

said upper shadow panel portion being apertured and said lower edge of the bracing panel having a notched portion in registration therewi h when lying against the same,

said lower shadow panel portion having its inner end engaging the inner face of said back panel and provided with a tongue cut centrally therefrom to form an apertured portion for receiving one end of an article having its other end engaged by the aperture of the upper shadow panel portion and notch of said bracing panel edge.

5. The structure of claim 4 in which said shadow panel portions of the display opening of the inner and outer front panels lie in planar relation therewith and said carton assembly is in flat collapsed condition.

6. The structure of claim 5 in which said upper shadow panel portion is provided with an apertured portion in the form of an elongated slot transversely thereof and the apertured portion of said lower shadow panel portion is at least partially circular in outline,

7. The structure of claim 5 in which end closure panels having tucker flaps extend from an upper and a lower edge of the front and back panels and an upper corner of said bracing panel member is cut away for receiving the tucker flap of the top end closure panel.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,036,754 5/1962 Kleingers 229-39 3,106,876 10/1963 Dewhurst 229-27 3,235,163 2/1966 Hennessey 229-27 3,252,566 5/1966 Hanson 20645.14 3,288,348 11/1966 Brackett 229-27 WILLIAM T. DIXSON, JR., Primary Examiner. 

